Inclusive Early Education Resources

Resources to support inclusive policies and practices for early care and education.

California State Preschool Program (CSPP) Resources

Management Bulletin 23-02 on Serving Children with Disabilities
- Management Bulletin 23-02
Enrolling Children with Exceptional Needs in the Set Aside Diagram
- CSPP Enrollment for Children with Exceptional Needs (DOCX)
Children with Disabilities Survey Questions 2023-24 (DOCX)
Frequently Asked Questions on Serving Children with Disabilities in CSPP
- For any questions, please email InclusionSupport@cde.ca.gov
Webinar Resources
- Webinar Recording February 10, 2023
  - CSPP Serving Children with Disabilities (Video; 1:25:42)
- Webinar Slides February 10, 2023
  - Serving Children with Disabilities in CSPP (PPTX)
Inclusion Quarterly Newsletter
- Spring 2024 Inclusion Quarterly Newsletter (DOCX)

Professional Development Resources 

In California and nationwide, children with disabilities and their families continue to face significant barriers to accessing inclusive high-quality preschool programs that can provide needed services. Research shows the benefits of inclusive education for young children with and without disabilities. Creating policies, programs, and practices that supports inclusion leads to positive and equity impacts for all children.

In an effort to uplift high-quality inclusive early education, the Early Education Division (EED) at the California Department of Education (CDE), in collaboration with the Impact Inclusion Workgroup has developed a resource matrix to support providers, administrators, and parents with information to help support increased access to children with disabilities in inclusive programs.

Governance and Leadership
Finance
Personnel, Workforce, and Quality Standards
Accountability and Quality
Family Engagement

Governance and Leadership

General Inclusion Resources

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Beginning Together	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Easterseals: Services for Children (New 10-May-2024)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Talking with Parents When You Have Concerns About a Child in Your Care	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the American with Disabilities Act: ADA.gov (New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Division of Early Childhood of the Council of Exceptional Children	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Early Learning Guidance October 2016 (PDF; New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Expanding Inclusive Learning Opportunities-Children's Equity Project (PDF; New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Inclusion Works! Creating Child Care Programs That Promote Belonging for Children with Disabilities (PDF) California Preschool Instructional Network (Inclusion Works)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
IRIS Center Peabody College Vanderbilt University	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Los Angeles Unified School District Position Paper	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Orange County Department of Education - CA MTSS	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
A Joint Position Statement of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) (PDF)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
National Center for Systemic Improvement: Transforming State Systems to Improve Outcomes for Children with Disabilities	Less Beneficial	Less Beneficial	Beneficial
Providing Early Childhood Special Education Services in Community-Based Settings (New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

California Department of Education (CDE)

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
California Multi- Tiered System of Support (CA MTSS)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Laws, Regulations, & Policies	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Announcements & Current Issues	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Handbook on Developing and Evaluating Interagency Collaboration in Early Childhood Special Education Programs (PDF)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Quality Assurance Process - Special Education (CA Dept of Education) (New 10-May-2024)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Considerations for Developing State Policies and Guidance on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs (PDF)	Less Beneficial	Less Beneficial	Beneficial
Key Principles Underlying the IEP Process: Supporting Family Participation, Inclusive Practices and Positive Outcomes for Preschool Children with Disabilities	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Preschool LRE Reference Points and Discussion Prompts (PDF)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
ECTA Center: Making Sound Preschool LRE Decisions	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Head Start

Resource	Families	Providers or Teachers	Administrators
Collaboration on Head Start and Free and Appropriate Public Education (PDF)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Dear Colleague Letter on IDEA Services in Head Start (Oct. 5, 2022) - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center: Head Start Inclusion Webinars	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Engaging Families of Children with Disabilities	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Guidance on Creating an Effective Memorandum of Understanding to Support High-Quality Inclusive Early Childhood Systems	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Head Start Center for Inclusion	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Inclusion Lab App; ECLKC (hhs.gov) (New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) Part B, Sec 619

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Assistive Technology Devices and Services for Children With Disabilities Under the IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (New 10-May-2024)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): Part 300 — Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Dear Colleague Letter - Preschool Least Restrictive Environments (LRE) (PDF)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8 (PDF)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) - Section 619	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
ECTA: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
IDEA - Statute Chapter 33	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
POLICY STATEMENT: Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs (Nov. 28, 2023)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Understanding the Confidentiality Requirements Applicable to IDEA Early Childhood Programs - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (PDF; New 10-May-2024)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

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Finance

Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
ECTA Center: System Framework: Finance	Less Beneficial	Less Beneficial	Beneficial
ECTA Center: Financing Strategies and Collaborative Funding for Inclusive Programs	Less Beneficial	Less Beneficial	Beneficial
Funds Supporting IDEA Services and Early Childhood Settings for Young Children with Disabilities (DOCX)	Less Beneficial	Less Beneficial	Beneficial
Preschool Inclusion Finance Toolkit (PDF)	Less Beneficial	Less Beneficial	Beneficial
Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs (PDF)	Less Beneficial	Less Beneficial	Beneficial

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Personnel, Workforce, and Quality Standards

Adaptations and Accommodations

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Desired Results Access Project: Planning Adaptations for Distance Learning	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education (STEMIE) Guide to Adaptations	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Early Identification Tools

Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)-3

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
ASQ	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
ASQ and ASQ-SE Comprehensive Seminar	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
ASQ and ASQ-SE Training of Trainers	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Easterseals: Take the ASQ Screening to check a child’s development (New 10-May-2024)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

ASQ – Social Emotional (ASQ-SE)-2

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Social Emotional Screening of Young Children: Early Identification is Essential to Healthy SEL, by Barton and Steed	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Assessment and Evaluation Process

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Desired Results Access Project	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Special Education Division (SED): Individualized Education Program (IEP) process	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Handbook on Assessment and Evaluation in Early Childhood Special Education Programs (PDF)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
A Guide to the Individualized Education Program	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
California Courts: Assessments and Eligibility	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

California Special Education Technical Assistance Network

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
California Special Education Technical Assistance Network	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Co-teaching

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
2 Teach Inclusive education...with a sense of humor!	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Embedded Instruction

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Embedded Instruction Teaching Practices (California)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Embedded Instruction for Early Learning: National Center	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Evidence-Based Practice

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
California Autism Professional Training and Information Network	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Connect Modules	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

High-Quality Early Learning Environments

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Inclusive Classroom Profile	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Seeds of Partnership - High Quality Early Learning Environment	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Models of Inclusion and Natural Environment Stories

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Anaheim Elementary Preschool Inclusion Program (Video; 3:07; New 10-May-2024)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
The Inclusion Collaborative: San Jose State University-Mia's Story (Video; 8:20; New 10-May-2024)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Placer County Colfax State Preschool: The Power of Inclusion (Video; 3:18; New 10-May-2024)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Seeds of Partnership Project: Models of Inclusion and Natural Environment Stories	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Multilingual Learners with Disabilities or Suspected Delays (New 10-May-2024)

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Dual Language Learners: Key Considerations for Language, Learning, and Inclusion (Imperial County SELPA) (New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Pre-Referral Processes in California State Preschool Programs: How Practitioners Decide to Refer Multilingual Children for Special Education Evaluation (New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Resourcing Supports for Young Multilingual Learners with Suspected Disabilities in California: Learning Collaborative Recommendations (New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

National Professional Development Center on Inclusion

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
National Professional Development Center on Inclusion	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Preschool Learning Foundations

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Preschool Curriculum Framework	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Preschool Learning Foundations	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Social-Emotional Learning

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
California Early Childhood Online	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
California Teaching Pyramid (WestED)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Changing Perspectives Now: Disability Awareness	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Pyramid Model Implemented with Practice-based Coaching	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPM)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Dear Colleague Letter on Social-Emotional Development and Mental Health; The Administration for Children and Families (New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Supporting Inclusive Practices

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Supporting Inclusive Practices	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Universal Pre-kindergarten (UPK) Inclusion Resources	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Supporting Inclusive Practices Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program (IEEEP)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Supporting Inclusive Practices Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Inclusion Resources	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Supporting Inclusive Practices (New 10-May-2024)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Universal Pre-Kindergarten: Seeds of Change	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
CAST Professional Learning- the Data Inquiry UDL Cycle and UDL Implementation Work Together to Improve Teaching and Learning (PDF)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
CAST Universal Design for Learning (UDL)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Open Access: Learning and Participation for All Students (New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
UDL in Early Learning for Distance Learning	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
UDL Guidelines Tool	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

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Accountability and Quality

Cultural Competencies and Implicit Bias

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Creating Brave Spaces: Disrupting Implicit Bias in Early Care and Education	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
DEC/ECTA Equity Webinar Series	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Disrupting Implicit Bias in Early Childhood Programs (Video; 1:18:14)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Family-Centered Approach for Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Considerations for Early Intervention	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Inclusion, Diversity, and Acceptance \| Barton Lab; Vanderbilt University (New 10-May-2024)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Race Today: What Kids Know as They Grow; Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
“Racing” Towards Equality: Why Talking to Your Kids About Race Is Good for Everyone	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Reimagining Equity & Access for Diverse Youth	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Understanding Implicit Bias and Its Role in Early Learning Environments	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Zero To Three eLearn: Equity-Informed Practice	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Data Support

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
DaSy (The Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
IDEA Data Center (New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Effective Early Childhood Transitions

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
California Early Childhood Special Education Network (CalECSE)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
California Early Childhood Online	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
California Resource and Referral Network	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Effective Early Childhood Transitions: A Guide for Transition at Age Three — Early Start to Preschool	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Federal IDEA Part C & Part B Transition Requirements for Late Referrals to IDEA Part C (PDF)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Part C to B for CA Kids Workgroup Recommendations-SB 75 Workgroup Recommendations (PDF)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Improving Transition Outcomes for Black and Latinx Children with Developmental Disabilities	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Transitions from Early Start	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Preventing Suspension and Expulsion of Young Children

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Supporting Students with Disabilities and Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Student Discipline under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (PDF; New 10-May-2024)	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Discipline Discussions: Our Discipline Policies Reflect Our Priorities	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Preventing Suspension and Expulsion of Young Children in Child Care & Early Education Settings	Less Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

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Family Engagement

Developmental Milestones

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Centers for Disease Control: Learn the Signs, Act Early	Beneficial	Beneficial	Less Beneficial
Development is a Journey	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Reasons for Concern: When you suspect your child or a child in your care may have a disability or special need(s)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Less Beneficial
What to do when there are concerns about a child’s development (PDF)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
How to Get Help for Your Child (PDF)	Beneficial	Less Beneficial	Less Beneficial
Milestone Tracker	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
All About Young Children	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Seeds of Partnership/Family Empowerment Centers

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Seeds of Partnership - FEC by County	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Seeds of Partnership	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Family Resources

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
California Parent Organizations	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Seeds of Partnership	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Tools and Resources for Families and Family Support Personnel - CAPTAIN	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
National Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)	Beneficial	Less Beneficial	Less Beneficial
Parents Helping Parents (PHP)	Beneficial	Less Beneficial	Less Beneficial
The Story of Max (Video; 2:52)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
La historia de Max (Video; 3:12)	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Strengthening Families

Resource	Families	Providers and Teachers	Administrators
Strengthening Families	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Children's Trust Fund Alliance	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial
Center for the Study of Social Policy: Ideas into Action	Beneficial	Beneficial	Beneficial

Questions: Early Education Division | 916-322-6233

Last Reviewed: Monday, June 10, 2024

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Management Bulletin 24-04 (added 13-Jun-2024)
This Management Bulletin Provides Guidance on Timely Payments for Family Childcare Providers.
2024 UPK Workgroup Executive Summary (added 06-Jun-2024)
The Universal PreKindergarten Mixed Delivery Quality and Access Workgroup Legislative Report.
CSPP Neighborhood School Site Verification (updated 30-May-2024)
Resources for verifying California State Preschool Program (CSPP) Neighborhood School Sites.
Hipervínculos para Guía para los programas (added 24-May-2024)
Hipervínculos para Guía Para Los Programas De Aprendizaje Y Desarrollo Infantil, 2a Edición
Early Identification Legislative Report (added 24-Apr-2024)
Report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the Legislature, and the Department of Finance on the Proposed Tools and Process for the Early Identification of Developmental Delays and Learning Disabilities